Ancient Carnival
Carnival here in La Spezia has very ancient roots, more ancient than those of the Viareggio Carnival, and even if it is probably not as famous as Carnivals in other areas of Italy, it has a Carnival mask identifying this territory – Batiston.
Appeared for the first time in 1869, the Carnival foundation year, this mask traces the typical traits of the popular sayings of this territory. It represents the typical inhabitant of La Spezia, and it is nicknamed as “Batiston er mugugnon, er vogia de fae gnente” (literally, Batiston, the one who always complains and the one who never feels like doing anything). Next to him, there is also Maià, his wife and daughter of King Carnival, who also became a symbol of this local festival.
After the construction of the Italian Navy base, the Carnival enthusiasm began to diminish, until a group of young locals decided to rediscover the history of this great tradition
Appeared for the first time in 1869, the Carnival foundation year, this mask traces the typical traits of the popular sayings of this territory. It represents the typical inhabitant of La Spezia, and it is nicknamed as “Batiston er mugugnon, er vogia de fae gnente” (literally, Batiston, the one who always complains and the one who never feels like doing anything). Next to him, there is also Maià, his wife and daughter of King Carnival, who also became a symbol of this local festival.
After the construction of the Italian Navy base, the Carnival enthusiasm began to diminish, until a group of young locals decided to rediscover the history of this great tradition